Aretha Franklin's cultural contributions are too numerous to list, but it certainly is uplifting to try. The Queen of Soul died of pancreatic cancer on Thursday, surrounded by family at her home in Detroit. She was 76.

Here are some of Franklin's best-known moments – collisions of artistry, personality and versatility that illustrate how she shaped pop culture in ways large and small.

'Respect'

Topping the Billboard pop singles chart in 1967, Franklin’s signature song was everything a classic should be and more. If the multitude of protest movements during the second half of the 20th century had to share one anthem, this would be it.

Inauguration of President Barack Obama

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Aretha Franklin brought down the house at President Barack Obama's first inauguration in 2009. Her performance was as memorable for her hat as it was for her rendition of "America (My Country 'Tis of Thee)." (Aug. 16)
AP

Franklin’s memorable hat by Detroit milliner Luke Song became a web sensation (how many other singers are meme-worthy for their fashion alone?), but it was the pure emotion of her rendition of “America (My Country 'Tis of Thee)” that blessed the 2009 swearing-in ceremony of America’s first African-American president.

'The Blues Brothers'

Franklin’s career was rejuvenated by her appearance in the 1980 comedy as a slippers-wearing waitress who schools her man with the energetic “Think.” According to Mental Floss, Universal Pictures pushed for a newer group like Rose Royce to handle the number, but the movie’s star Dan Aykroyd insisted on Aretha, thank goodness.

'Nessun Dorma' on 20 minutes notice

When Franklin subbed for an ailing Luciano Pavarotti at the 1998 Grammys, she had 20 minutes to prepare. In yet another stunning demonstration of her musical brilliance, she gave the operatic aria all of the emotional impact of her popular music while staying true to its classical score.

Fur drop at Kennedy Center Honors

At a December 2015 Kennedy Center Honors event, Franklin left her seat at the piano during a performance of "(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman” for Carole King. Then she dramatically dropped her fur coat to the stage floor, achieving a wow factor much greater than a mic drop. Franklin shared a practical explanation with Vogue for the gesture: “I wasn’t sure about the air factor onstage, and air can mess with the voice from time to time. ... Once I determined that the air was all right while I was singing, I said, “Let’s get out of this coat! I’m feeling it. Let’s go!' ”

'Murphy Brown' cameo

Speaking of “Natural Woman,” Franklin did a duet with Candice Bergen on “Murphy Brown” in 1991, at the height of the media sitcom’s popularity. It was just a cameo, but, of course, the diva got more laughs than the show’s star with her reaction to Bergen’s “ah-ooh” backup vocals.

Tag-teaming 'Natural Woman' with fellow divas

The first gathering of pop music royalty in 1998 featured the Queen of Soul and the headlining crown princesses: Mariah Carey, Gloria Estefan, Celine Dion, Carole King and Shania Twain. As usual, Franklin showed everyone how it’s done, particularly during her duet with Carey on “Chain of Fools.”

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R&B great Aretha Franklin, the forever reigning Queen of Soul, seen here performing in 2017, has died at her home in Detroit at age 76 of pancreatic cancer, her niece, Sabrina Owens, confirmed to The Detroit Free Press on Aug. 16, 2018. Dimitrios Kambouris, Getty Images

Franklin performs at the world premiere of "Clive Davis: The Soundtrack of Our Lives" at Radio City Music Hall, during the 2017 Tribeca Film Festival in New York. Charles Sykes, Charles Sykes/Invision/AP

Aretha Franklin braves the chilly Michigan temperatures to perform at the Detroit Lions' annual Thanksgiving Day home game against the Minnesota Vikings on Nov. 24, 2016, at Ford Field. Tim Fuller, USA TODAY Sports

Aretha Franklin sings during a memorial service for her father and brother, Rev. C.L. and Rev. Cecil Franklin, at New Bethel Baptist Church where they were ministers, in Detroit, Mich. on June 7, 2015. Elizabeth Conley, The Detroit News via AP

President Barack Obama fist bumps with Aretha Franklin who sang during a farwell ceremony for Attorney General Eric Holder at the Justice Department Feb. 27, 2015 in Washington, DC. The ceremony was held to unveil the Attorney General's official portrait and commemorate his tenure before his expected departure from the department after more than six years of service. Mark Wilson, Getty Images

Franklin blows out her birthday candles on March 22, 2015, three days shy of turning 73. She celebrated with then-Attorney General Eric Holder, left, journalist Tamron Hall and producer Clive Davis at New York's Ritz Carlton Hotel. Charles Sykes,Invision/AP

Franklin walks in a procession during Harvard University commencement ceremonies May 29, 2014, in Cambridge, Mass. Franklin was presented an honorary Doctor of Arts degree during the ceremony. Steven Senne, AP

Franklin belts out the National Anthem prior to the start of Game 3 of the American League Championship Series between the Detroit Tigers and Texas Rangers on Oct. 11, 2011. JULIAN H. GONZALEZ, Detroit Free Press

Aretha Franklin and Tony Bennett perform during Bennett's 85th Birthday Gala Benefit for Exploring the Arts at The Metropolitan Opera House on Sept. 18, 2011, in New York City. Larry Busacca, Getty Images

Aretha Franklin hosts a high tea listening party at the Detroit Fish Market for her soon-to-be released CD, "A Woman Falling Out of Love" on Feb. 26, 2010, As the songs play her sister-in-law Earline Franklin of Detroit, left and friend Ali Woodson a former lead singer with the Temptations of Los Angeles get up to sing and clap and show their enthusiasm for the new CD. Regina H. Boone, Detroit Free Press via USA TODAY NETWORK

Franklin is joined by Josh Groban, Susan Sarandon, Lil' Kim and Cyndi Lauper for the finale of the Mandela Day Concert, celebrating the 91st birthday of South African leader Nelson Mandela at New York's Radio City Music Hall on July 18, 2009. Charles Sykes, AP

Franklin performed at eight different Grammy ceremonies, tying her with Whitney Houston for the most appearances. She first performed in 1971 and last performed in 2008, when she was honored as the MusiCares' Person of the Year. Robert Hanashiro, USA TODAY

When the pinnacle of the sports season takes place in Detroit, only one name will do when it comes time to do the national anthem. Franklin did the honors a Super Bowl XL in February 2006. JEFF HAYNES, AFP/Getty Images

President Bush awards singer Aretha Franklin the Presidential Medal of Freedom Award in the East Room of the White House, Nov. 9, 2005. It is the highest civilian award given. LAWRENCE JACKSON, ASSOCIATED PRESS

In addition to her many Grammy appearances, Franklin's iconic voice was also featured on the Tony Awards. Here, she performs with host Hugh Jackman at the 2005 ceremony honoring Broadway's best. Robert Deutsch, USA TODAY

Opera singer Luciano Pavarotti laughs along with Aretha Franklin and the group Boyz II Men (rear) after accepting the eighth MusiCares Foundation "Person of the Year" award in New York on Feb. 23, 1998. HENNY RAY ABRAMS, AFP/Getty Images

Kirk Douglas applauds Aretha Franklin at a reception for the Kennedy Center Honors on Dec. 4, 1994, at the White House. The Kennedy Center Honors recognizes American performance artists who have made lifetime contributions to American culture. JOSHUA ROBERTS, AFP/Getty Images

Aretha Franklin performs in the finale of "Aretha Franklin: Duets," an AIDS benefit concert for the Gay Men's Health Crisis in New York on April 28, 1993, as singers Smokey Robinson, background from left, Gloria Estefan, Rod Stewart, Bonnie Raitt and actors Dustin Hoffman and Robert De Niro look on. Ron Frehm, AP

Though she's the Queen of Soul, Franklin had no qualms about sharing the spotlight. When George Michael, her duet partner from 1987's "I Knew You Were Waiting for Me," came to Detroit on his Faith world tour the next year, she joined him onstage. Robert Kozloff, AP

Rev. Jesse Jackson speaks to reporters at the Operation PUSH Soul Picnic in New York with Tom Todd, vice president of PUSH, from second left, Aretha Franklin and Louis Stokes on March 26, 1972. Jim Wells, AP